There’s no substitute for regular exercise and a nutritionally dense diet, but what do you do when that’s not enough? Even with diligent effort over a long period of time, many people struggle with stubborn pockets of fat and loose or excess skin around the midsection, thighs and other areas.
A tummy tuck combined with liposuction can help address both the excess skin and fat with a single procedure. Dr. Karol A. Gutowski often performs these procedures together at his Chicago practice because they complement each other well.
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and tightens the underlying muscles of the middle and lower abdominal area. During pregnancy or significant weight fluctuation, the muscles that run down the center of your abdomen can separate, a condition called diastasis recti. A tummy tuck repairs that separation by suturing the muscles back together for a firmer and flatter abdominal wall.
Dr. Karol Gutowski performs full, mini and extended tummy tucks. In a full tummy tuck, a horizontal incision is made below the undergarment line, allowing access to a broad area for tissue tightening and repositioning the belly button. A mini tummy tuck typically produces less dramatic results, but with a smaller incision, making it an ideal option for patients who are closer to their goals. Finally, an extended tummy tuck offers a highly effective way for those who have lost significant amounts of weight to tighten the skin when there is a high degree of laxity.
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that uses a thin tube called a cannula to physically suction out fat deposits from specific areas of the body. It’s a highly effective approach for removing fat that has resisted your best efforts to reduce fat naturally. It does not tighten skin or repair weakened muscles, meaning you may benefit from additional (or alternative) approaches if these concerns affect you.
Dr. Karol Gutowski offers laser-assisted SmartLipo, tumescent liposuction (involving the use of a solution to firm up the fat and reduce bleeding), VASER liposuction and water-assisted liposuction, each of which comes with unique advantages.
Dr. Gutowski performed my buccal fat pad removal/chin liposuction procedures in June and I couldn’t be happier with the results. I was nervous to be awake for the surgery but he and his nurse made me feel comfortable the entire time, explaining each step as it was happening, and even calling me the night after the procedure to make sure I was not in too much pain.
–Aleks D
When combining these two procedures, Dr. Gutowski can remove stubborn fat and then redrape the skin over the newly rejuvenated and tightened muscle wall. Combination surgery prevents loose skin after liposuction for those with poor skin elasticity and creates a smooth and even shape after a tummy tuck. Combining the two also means one round of anesthesia and one recovery period, which reduces the overall impact on your body as well as the time burden associated with recovery.
The best candidates are those who are at a stable weight and are not planning future pregnancies. Weight gain and pregnancy can stretch the skin and muscles again after surgery. It is also important that patients are healthy enough to undergo the surgery and the recovery process. Dr. Gutowski also requires patients who smoke to stop well ahead of their surgery date since smoking slows healing.
In the weeks leading up to your tummy tuck operation, Dr. Gutowski will go over your full medical history and current medications. Blood thinners, anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and certain supplements such as fish oil and vitamin E may need to be paused ahead of time because they increase bleeding risk during surgery.
As you prepare for your surgery, spend some time on your recovery space at home. Equip the area with a recliner or a wedge pillow to keep you in a slightly bent position as you rest, and prepare easy meals and pick up medications ahead of time. Plan to wear loose clothing that can be unbuttoned instead of pulled over your head to make the first days of recovery more manageable.
The surgery typically begins with liposuction to remove excess fat from the abdomen and often the flanks. From there, Dr. Gutowski makes a horizontal incision along the lower abdomen, low enough to sit within a bikini line, and separates the skin from the muscle layer underneath. The abdominal muscles are pulled together and sutured into a tighter position, and the remaining skin is redraped and trimmed before the incision is closed. In many cases, the belly button is repositioned through a small separate incision. The entire process generally takes between three and five hours.
Most patients take about two to three weeks off from work. Desk jobs allow for an earlier return than physically demanding ones. You’ll wear a compression garment around your midsection for several weeks after surgery to reduce swelling and keep the shape of the treatment area.
Walking short distances starting the day after surgery is encouraged since it keeps blood flowing and lowers the risk of blood clots. Bending over to pick things up and heavy lifting should be avoided, along with intense physical activity. While swelling and bruising are most noticeable in the first several weeks after the procedure, it can take up to a year to see the full results as the swelling resolves and the scar matures.
The outcome of any surgery depends on factors specific to your body, including your skin elasticity, how much muscle repair is needed, your natural proportions and the amount of fat being removed. Your results may not look exactly like pictures that you have seen, and the shape of your abdomen can fluctuate in the weeks and months after surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Gutowski will spend time discussing your body shape and the realistic results that can be expected in your situation.
Dr. Karol Gutowski is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has spent his career focused on aesthetic surgery of the face, breast and body. His work has been published in leading medical journals, and his expertise has been featured in outlets like The New York Times, CBS News and USA Today. He and his team of nurses, estheticians and medical professionals treat patients from across the greater Chicago area as well as across the country. When you come in for a consultation, Dr. Gutowski will listen to what you’re hoping to achieve, assess your anatomy and build a surgical plan around your specific goals.
Combining a tummy surgery like abdominoplasty with liposuction allows both fat removal and skin tightening to be handled in one procedure, which can produce a more complete result than either procedure alone. Dr. Karol A. Gutowski and his staff in Chicago, IL, work with each patient to determine the right surgical approach based on their anatomy and goals. Give us a call at 847-906-1527 or fill out our online form to schedule your consultation.
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